Wanda Auerbach

On Sunday, November 25, Wanda Auerbach took her last breath with her head leaning on her beloved husband of 62 years.

Wanda Auerbach was born Wanda Virginia Irwin on July 17, 1927, near Powell Station, Tennessee, a beautiful but impoverished region of Appalachia . Although she grew up poor, without running water or opportunities, she felt rich through the love of her hard working parents and four siblings, through the exquisite flowers, birds, and streams of the Cumberland Mountains, and through the treasures she discovered when she walked miles to reach the nearest Bookmobile.

Wanda became the first in her family to attend college. Berea College in Kentucky offered a free higher education to those with motivation but not money. In her senior year, she not only was elected May Queen for her stunning beauty and kindness but also graduated valedictorian of her class. At Berea she had met the love of her life, Robert Auerbach. Their wedding on June 18, 1950 cost $500 (all borrowed) but brought over 62 years of priceless love.

Wanda continued her education with a Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and spent a decade helping families as a social worker through the Dane County Mental Health Center. In her forties, with two children in middle school, she went back to school and earned a second Master's Degree in Library Science. She became a much appreciated medical reference librarian at the UW and collaborated with her husband on his scientific research.

A service will be held on Saturday, December 1, at 2 PM at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with visitation from 1 PM until the time of the service. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the two charities of Wanda's choice, both devoted to free access to higher education for those facing economic barriers: the UW Odyssey Project (www.odyssey.wisc.edu) or Berea College (www.berea.edu).